A-Z Challenge – H is for Heron


The feature image is a nonbreeding Tricolored Heron stalking his prey.

Tricolored Heron

This Tricolored Heron photo is one of my all time favorites. It was taken at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida during breeding season. There were lots of nests of all kinds of Egrets, Herons and Woodstorks.

Tricolored Herons are slender birds with feathers of blue-gray, lavender and white. The white belly and stripe going up to the neck sets it apart from other herons. The bright blue bill appears during breeding season like the photo above. The nonbreeding Tricolored Heron has a black and yellow bill with yellow eye lores.

This bird is a little sneaky as they like to follow behind Double-crested Cormorants and Pied-billed Grebes and snatch up fish they stir up. These birds are can be found in North, Central and South America, West Indies, as well as the Caribbean.


This is my first time participating in April Blogging from A-Z Challenge. As a birder and photographer, I will be sharing a new bird with you every day. I host a weekly photo challenge called Bird Weekly and would love for you to stop by anytime. Join in if that is your thing too.


Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - 2021 badge

Comments

24 responses to “A-Z Challenge – H is for Heron”

  1. Dora Avatar

    Wow ๐Ÿคฉโ€” You had to have had a lot of patience to get these remarkable shots. Mega kudos to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Thank you Dora! Actually, the feature image was a bit harder because he was moving quickly. They are not that patient, but more so than a Reddish Egret. Just a tad bit less spastic. LOL! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. lisaonthebeach Avatar

    Lisa, what a cool bird!! โฃโฃ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Thanks Lisa! We saw a record or us…over 40 when we went to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge in February.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections Avatar

    To me, the Tri-Color Heron is more beautiful than the Great Blue Heron. Good images. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      I think they are all beautiful in their own way but when you get the breeding colors of the tricolored, it is pretty spectacular. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  4. 100 Country Trek Avatar

    Stunning photo Lisa.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Thank you Anita! It is one of my favs! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  5. Jim Borden Avatar

    I like its approach to finding food ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Yes, sneaky! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jim Borden Avatar

        exactly…

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Aletta - nowathome Avatar

    The tri-coloured Heron is amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      It sure is especially in breeding plumage. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  7. Heart to Heart Avatar

    Awesome captures! Stunning header image…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Thank you very much! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  8. circadianreflections Avatar

    Beautiful looks and images of this Heron, Lisa. It’s on my wish list to see one day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Well, that March/April thing! Hopefully next year will be a better year for a visit. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. circadianreflections Avatar

        I am hoping for a trip there! My Mom is getting stronger and almost ready for visitors she says.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lisa Coleman Avatar

        Yay! I’m so glad she is doing well! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      3. circadianreflections Avatar

        Me too! Now she’s hoping to get some pounds back on her bod. She’s only 95.5lbs now. But that’s up nearly 10 pounds since her surgery! She should weigh about 115 normally. She’s tiny. I’m not! ๐Ÿคฃ

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Lisa Coleman Avatar

        I should be 115 and Iโ€™m not. 10-15 pounds overweight. Iโ€™m all 5โ€™1โ€.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. circadianreflections Avatar

        Me too, but I’m a wee bit taller.

        Liked by 1 person